Gooey Pecan-Topped Cinnamon Buns

=Ingredients:

*1/4 cup (60 mL) granulated sugar.

*1/2 cup (125 mL) warm water.

*1/2 cup (125 mL) milk

*1/4 cup (60 mL) butter.

*1 tsp (5 mL) salt.

*2 eggs, beaten

*4 cups (1 L) all-purpose flour

=Filling:

*1-1/2 cups (375 mL) packed brown sugar

*1 cup (250 mL) butter

*1 cup (250 mL) coarsely chopped pecans

*1 tbsp (15 mL) cinnamon

=instructions:

In large bowl, dissolve 1 tsp of the sugar in warm water. Sprinkle in yeast; let stand until frothy, about 10 min.

Meanwhile, in saucepan, heat together remaining sugar, milk, butter and salt until butter is melted; let cool to lukewarm. Sir into yeast mixture along with eggs.

With electric mixer, gradually beat in 1-1/2 cups of the flour; beat until smooth, about 2 min. With wooden spoon, gradually stir in enough of the remaining flour to make soft, slightly sticky dough that comes away from side of bowl.

Turn out onto lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 7 to 10 min, adding remaining flour as necessary. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease all over. Cover and let rise in warm draft-free place for 1 to 1-1/2 hours (or in refrigerator for 8 hours) until doubled in bulk and impression remains when fingertips are pressed into dough.

Filling: In saucepan, whisk 3/4 cup of the sugar with 3/4 cup of the butter over medium heat until melted. Pour into greased 13- x 9-inch (3 L) baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the pecans; set aside.

Melt remaining butter; set aside. Combine remaining sugar, pecans and cinnamon; set aside.

Punch down dough. Turn out onto lightly floured surface; roll out into 18- x 14-inch (45 x 35 cm) rectangle. Brush with all but 2 tbsp of the melted butter, leaving 1/2-inch (1 cm) border uncovered; sprinkle with sugar mixture.

Starting at long side, tightly roll up, pinching seam to seal. Brush with remaining butter. With serrated knife, cut into 15 pieces; place, cut side down, in dish. Cover and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

Bake in 375°F (190°C) oven until golden and tops sound hollow when tapped, 30 to 35 min. Let stand in dish for 3 min. Invert onto serving platter, scraping off remaining filling in dish to drizzle over buns.

Servings: 15